When writing a compare-and-contrast essay about a common theme, the writer must

Question

avoid explaining how both works develop the theme.
compare and contrast how the themes are developed.
be sure to use transitions and avoid literary devices.
explain why the author chose a particular theme.
pick an answer

Answer 1

The best option for writing a compare-and-contrast essay about a common theme is: compare and contrast how the themes are developed.

This approach allows the writer to explore the similarities and differences in how each work presents the theme, which is central to a compare-and-contrast essay. Using transitions will help connect ideas, and while avoiding unnecessary literary devices can keep the focus on analysis, literary devices can still be discussed if relevant to the comparison of themes.

Answer 2

In a subject-by-subject comparison essay, a thesis statement must
show how the theme is developed in both works.
sum up all of the major points.
compare and contrast the theme in both works.
clearly explain the essay’s topic and viewpoint.

Answer 3

In a subject-by-subject comparison essay, a thesis statement must clearly explain the essay’s topic and viewpoint.

This approach sets the stage for the essay by outlining the focus of the comparison while also presenting the writer's perspective. While it's crucial to have a clear thesis, it can also touch on how the theme will be developed in both works, but the primary goal is to establish a clear topic and viewpoint.

Answer 4

Read the sentence.

In the story “Mericans,” Micaela thinks her grandmother is awful.

Which is the best revision of this sentence using academic vocabulary?
Micaela’s grandmother mistreats her, and Micaela does not like her.
Micaela does not like her grandmother because the old woman mistreats her.
The main character of “Mericans” does not like her awful old grandmother at all.
The protagonist of “Mericans,” Micaela, expresses that her grandmother is awful.

Read the excerpt from “In Response to Executive Order 9066.”

If it helps any, I will tell you
I have always felt funny using chopsticks
and my favorite food is hot dogs.

Read the excerpt from “Mericans.”

We cannot spend our allowance on fried cookies or Familia Burrón comic books or those clear cone-shaped suckers that make everything look like a rainbow when you look through them.

Which theme best describes the two excerpts?
Traditional foods do not bring families together.
Sharing special foods with family is an American tradition.
Young people frequently resist trying foods of cultures different than their own.
Culture is frequently linked to traditional foods.

In a subject-by-subject comparison essay, the thesis statement should be located in
the first body paragraph.
the second body paragraph.
the concluding paragraph.
the introductory paragraph.

Answer 5

1. The best revision of the sentence using academic vocabulary is: The protagonist of “Mericans,” Micaela, expresses that her grandmother is awful.

2. The theme that best describes the two excerpts is: Culture is frequently linked to traditional foods.

3. In a subject-by-subject comparison essay, the thesis statement should be located in the introductory paragraph.

This placement allows the reader to understand the main focus of the essay from the beginning.

Answer 6

Read the paragraph from a student’s literary essay comparing two different works.

(1) Sandra Cisneros’s “Mericans” is about a young American girl of Mexican descent who is struggling between her cultural heritage and American identity. (2) Cisneros illustrates this through a number of images and ideas. (3) For example, the speaker, Micaela, calls her grandmother “awful,” and seems to resent the woman’s strict views and religious ideals. (4) The speaker also mentions how she and her brother emulate characters from popular American television programs when they play make-believe. (5) Lastly, she describes physically standing outside her family’s church, an act that symbolizes the fact that she feels like an outsider to Mexican culture. (6) Although Micaela is of Mexican descent, she seems to feel a stronger connection to the United States.

Which best describes this paragraph?
the introduction to the essay
a body paragraph of the essay
the thesis of the essay
the conclusion of the essay

Read the excerpt from “In Response to Executive Order 9066.”

I’ve packed my galoshes
and three packets of tomato seeds. Denise calls them
love apples. My father says where we’re going
they won’t grow.

Read the excerpt from “Mericans.”

She’s so busy taking Junior’s picture, she doesn’t notice me and Keeks.
“Hey, Michele, Keeks. You guys want gum?”
“But you speak English!”
“Yeah,” my brother says, “we’re Mericans.”

Which of the statements best describes both excerpts?
The speaker in Okita’s poem uses the tomato, a food native to the Americas, to highlight the speaker’s American identity, while the speaker in “Mericans” uses the English language to give her characters an American identity
The writers use bleak imagery to convey the sense of isolation they feel from their respective cultures.
The speaker of Okita’s poem feels a sense of loss at the prospect of being moved from her home, while the speaker of Cisneros’s short story longs to leave her current location and return to the United States.
Both speakers frequently refer to their cultural identities, which they strongly prefer over an American identity.

Read the paragraph from a student’s literary essay comparing two different works.

(1) Sandra Cisneros’s “Mericans” is about a young American girl of Mexican descent who is struggling between her cultural heritage and American identity. (2) Cisneros illustrates this through a number of images and ideas. (3) For example, the speaker, Micaela, calls her grandmother “awful,” and seems to resent the woman’s strict views and religious ideals. (4) The speaker also mentions how she and her brother emulate characters from popular American television programs when they play make-believe. (5) Lastly, she describes physically standing outside her family’s church, an act that symbolizes the fact that she feels like an outsider to Mexican culture. (6) Although Micaela is of Mexican descent, she seems to feel a stronger connection to the United States.

This paragraph supports the idea that Micaela
wishes her heritage was different because she has difficulty relating to her grandmother.
wants to find her own unique identity that is separate from her brother and her grandmother.
will never accept her Mexican roots because of her feelings toward her grandmother.
identifies with her Mexican heritage in a different way than her grandmother.

Answer 7

1. The paragraph from the student's literary essay is best described as a body paragraph of the essay.

This paragraph presents support for the main idea, developing the analysis of the themes in "Mericans."

2. The statement that best describes both excerpts is: The speaker in Okita’s poem uses the tomato, a food native to the Americas, to highlight the speaker’s American identity, while the speaker in “Mericans” uses the English language to give her characters an American identity.

Both excerpts address cultural identity and the complexities of navigating between different cultures.

3. This paragraph supports the idea that Micaela identifies with her Mexican heritage in a different way than her grandmother.

This reflects her internal conflict and distinct perspective on her cultural identity as she navigates her American and Mexican backgrounds.

Answer 8

Read the sentence.

The girl in the poem does not want to leave her home.

Which is the best revision of this sentence using academic vocabulary?
The poem’s main person is being forced to leave home.
The speaker of the poem does not want to go away.
The poem’s main person has to leave home against her will.
The speaker of the poem is reluctant to leave her home.

Answer 9

The best revision of the sentence using academic vocabulary is: The speaker of the poem is reluctant to leave her home.

This revision uses more formal language and accurately conveys the idea of unwillingness while maintaining clarity.

Answer 10

Read the excerpt from “In Response to Executive Order 9066.”

I have always felt funny using chopsticks
and my favorite food is hot dogs.

Read the excerpt from “Mericans.”

Ladies don’t come to church dressed in pants. And everybody knows men aren’t supposed to wear shorts.

Which best describes the common idea in the excerpts?
Both refer to the speaker’s sense of loss.
Both have a tone of disapproval.
Both reference American stereotypes.
Both suggest imminent change.

Answer 11

The statement that best describes the common idea in the excerpts is: Both have a tone of disapproval.

Both excerpts reflect expectations and societal norms, highlighting how the speakers experience disapproval related to cultural or gendered expectations.